Hydraulic clutch and change-speed device.



L. M. J. C. LBVAVASSEUR.

' HYDRAULIC. CLUTCH AND CHANGE SPEED DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 14, 1906.

WITNESSES rromvsrs PATENTED JULY 2, 1907.

'2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 Q PATENTBD HEY 2, 190?. L. M. J. a. LEVAVASSEUR.HYDRAULIC c LUTGH AND CHANGE SPEED DEVICE. APPLICATION FILED FEB. 14, 19

2 SHEETS-BHEET 2.

Fig. 2

i i 1 1M555 5 LE'ON MARIE JOSEPH CLEMENT LEVAVASSEUR, oFPnTEAoX, FRANCE.

EYDRAULIG CLUTCH AND CHANGE-SPEED Specification of Letters Patent.

ratentd July a, 1907.

Application filed February 14,1906. Serial No. 301.019.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, Leo): MARIE Josnrn CLnMENT Lnvavssssue, a citizen ofthe Republic-of France, and a resident of Puteaux, in said Republic,have invented a new and useful Hydraulic Clutch and Change-Speed Device,of which the following is a specification.

This invention aims to provide a hydraulic-clutch which is very simplein construction and effective in operation.

A further object or the invention is to provide a de vice oi thischaracter by which different speeds may be imparted to the driven memberby very simple easilyopeiated means.

It is a further object of the invention to furnish a hydraulic changespeed device which is adapted to serve as a differential gear.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a vertical longitudinalsection of a. hydraulic clutch and change speed device coiastructed inaccordance with the invention, and Fig. 2 shows a developmentillustrating the disposition of the casing and of the central corecarrying the pistons.

Referring to the drawings, and particularly to Fig. l, a denotes thecasing of the device, which is preferably of cylindrical iorm, and issecured at one end to either the driving or driven shaft f. The othershaftf is journaled in the casing 11 and passes transversely therethrough, as shown. Each of the inner surfaces of the side-plates of thecasing is provided with a circular series of depressions or pockets 0which alternate with relists or bosses d of equal volume. Thedepressions and bosses of one side-plate are arranged instaggeredrelation to those of the other sideplate, that is to say, the

depressions of one side-plate are opposite the bosses of the otherside-plate, and vice versa. The depressions and bosses are provided withinclined sides, as clearly shown in Fig. 2. At its periphery andintermediately between the side-plates the casing is closed, as shown.Communicating with the outer part of each depression 0 is a pipe orconduit 9 which leads to the outer end of the depression of the otherside-plate which is in advance of said first-nameddepression. The pipes9 extend radially from the casing in a series arranged parallel to theaxis thereof and extending about the periphery. One of these pipes isprovided with a cock h.

Upon the shaft f 1 there is keyed a core b arranged-within the casing aand extending to the periphery thereof, said core completely filling thespace in the casing adjacent the shait f and being provided with anouter part which passes freely between the opposing bosses of theside-plates. The core b is provided with a number of radial slots inwhich are movable, axially of the core, a number of pistons e. Thesepistons are in the form of blocks which closely fit within the slots ofthe core and correspond in width'to the space between each boss (I andthe inner surface of the opposite depression 0. The 4 casing a is filledwith a liquid of any kind, preferably an uncongealable liquid, whichfills all the available space.

Supposing the shaft f 1 to be the motor-shaft, when the core b isrotated the pistons will move laterally in their slots alternately tothe right and left of the core and enter the depressions and therebycause the liquid to be. forced in front of the pistons. During thismovement of the core the pistons readily pass from the depressions to.the adjacent bosses at the same side thereof by means of the inclinedsides of the depressions and bosses over which said pistons ride. Theliquid which is forced in front of the pistons finds an outlet throughthe pipes g, and hence traverses the casing at the same velocity atwhich the core rotates in the casing, which remains sta tionary. Whenthe core rotates in this manner and the cock h is open, no obstacle ispresented to the movement of the liquid and the clutch is disengaged.However,

by progressively closing the cock h the driven shaft f will be rotatedbythe motor-shaft at speedsprogressively increasing up to the limit ofthe speed at which the motor operates, which speed is obtained bycompletely closing the cock. This variation in the speed of driving isexplained by the fact thatthe increasing quantity of liquid which findsno outlet through the conduit in which the cock is arranged, whichconduit is partly or wholly closed by the cock, transmits the pressurethat it,receives from the pistons to the. casing,

which accordingly begins to rotate. It is apparent that the cock h maybe operated by any suitable mechanism.

. When the devices are used as differentials, each of the. wheels isprovided with an identical device the casing of which is made solid withthe wheel, while the central core is connected with the axle, which inthis case acts as a support.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent:

1. In a hydraulic clutch and change speed device, the combination, witha casing having alternate depressions and bosses on the inner surfacesof its sidewalls, the depressions and bosses of the side-walls beingarranged in staggered relation, means connecting each depression with adepression in the other side-wall, a shaft rotatable in said casing, acore fixed to said shaft,.pistons slidable axially insaid core betweenthe depressions and bosses of the side-walls, a liquid contained in saidcasing, and means for controlling the passage of the liquid in advanceof said pistons.

2. In a hydraulic clutch and change speed device, the combination of acasing having side-walls provided interiorly with alternating series ofdepressions and bosses, means for connecting the depressions of eachside-wall with those of the other wall, a shaft rotatable in saidcasing, a core carried by said shaft, blocks slidable in radial slots insaid core and forming pistons which fit between the'opposlng depressionsand bosses of the sidewalls of the casing, a liquid contained in saidcasing, and means to control the passage f. such liquid in. ad nce orthe pistons.

3. In a hydraulic clutch and change speiidldevioe, the

awgww rombinatiou of casing having opposing serie of alter- In testimonywhereof I have signed this specification 10 mating depressions andbosses on the inner surfaces of its in the pi side-wniis. p cumin-(Kingeach C1011 rim] with a sill stantially 9p 9 dewv \on of he othu.sidwwall, a stop- LEON MARIE JOSEPH cock in (we of mid pipes, :1 shaftjournaied in said casing, CLEMFNT LEV'AVASSEUR. a com mmmtefl on said.shaft :u1d provided with radia slots, pist ms slidabie axially inWitnesses:

and fitting be wc-eu the 90s nus and bosses. EMILE LEDRBT,

and a Daily of liquid cofitained in said wing. HEKXANDO 03 S020.

mm of two subscribing witnessew

